Small Town Traffic

by Larry Chamberlin   Apr 16, 2019


It satisfies the soul to step back occasionally
and roam the smaller town main streets
where antique stores are priced truly low
amid blond brick blocks with corbelled fronts.
Faded barber shop shingle claims title to
“best little clip joint west of the Brazos;”
the barber sits inside reading the Digest.

A train barrels through full speed nearby,
horn blaring, dopplering both ways,
just behind the small cafe on the corner
that basically serves soups and sandwiches.
The natives invite you to just chat a spell;
amazingly they listen to your responses
nodding and smiling for real, not show.

16 April 2019 (# 16)

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  • 5 years ago

    by Poet on the Piano

    This is such a cozy, quaint and nostalgic poem. This is what I'm told my small town used to be like... but we still have a bar, elementary school, two churches, post office and volunteer fire department... all with a few hundred people total in our town that's not even considered a town but an "unincorporated community" lol. For some reason, I find it peaceful hearing the train rumble because it's constant and reminds me I am home.

    I love the genuine feelings and almost that sigh of relief when reading this. I know many people may find freedom in the city because they can walk outside and not have everyone know them, and I know it can also be a harboring place for gossip (at least here) but sometimes there is a comfort in being surrounded by local people who really do want to welcome you. And the little activites that make one appreciate just what the town can offer.

    A heartwarming piece that made me smile!

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